# Indian astronomers find direct evidence of Blue Straggler formation 2026-08-08T15:53:23+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A study led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has provided the first direct observational evidence of how Blue Straggler Stars form. Published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, the research examined the binary system TIC 327546480 in the open star cluster Collinder 261, about 9,500 light-years away. The team discovered that a Blue Straggler Star is actively gaining material from a companion star through mass transfer, confirming one of the leading theories for these stars' origin. The semidetached binary has a less massive companion (0.32 solar mass) transferring matter to the larger star (1.67 solar mass). The mass transfer began around 5.46 billion years ago and continues today. The cluster itself is about 7 billion years old. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Tags: astronomy, Blue Straggler Star, Collinder 261, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Mass transfer, Star formation Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/indian-astronomers-find-direct-evidence-of-blue-straggler-formation/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/indian-astronomers-find-direct-evidence-of-blue-straggler-formation/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.